In today’s links, Craig Kimbrel is still available, we might have found the next Kevin Youkilis and we look ahead to the next offseason. Forget about this offseason. What could the Red Sox do next year? (Chad Jennings; The Athletic) ($$) Returning back to the present, Craig Kimbrel isn’t getting as much interest as he expected. (Nick Goss; NBC Sports Boston) We all know the Red Sox are trying to get better in the bullpen. Promoting from within could be a legitimate strategy. (Ian Browne; MLB.com) What else can the Red Sox do to get better? Chad Finn has the answers. (Chad Finn;...

Craig Kimbrel has arguably been the best closer in baseball since he first broke into the big leagues. But there’s no way the Chicago Cubs should go after him. I know, you probably think that’s a little crazy. Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow is already sidelined through at least the first month of the season […] Chicago Cubs need to avoid Craig Kimbrel at all costs - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Joe Kelly is heading out west, so Alex Speier looks at where the Red Sox go in the reliever market from here. (Alex Speier; Boston Globe) One thing that is becoming clear: Dave Dombrowski is willing to wait things out to get the best deal. (Ian Browne; RedSox.com) Well, that depends on who you ask. Evan Drellich says you shouldn’t count out the Red Sox in the Craig Kimbrel market just yet. (Evan Drellich; NBC Sports Boston) Recently there has been chatter about Boston wanting to cut salary, and Rick Porcello has been named as a potential trade chip. John Tomase argues he should be an...

Mere weeks after trading away Craig Kimbrel and accepting a draft pick compensation for Justin Upton, A.J. Preller used the Rule 5 draft to pluck four players off rival teams’ rosters. The Padres’ general manager grabbed three more players the following December before sitting out last year’s edition....

In today’s links, the Red Sox could have some drastic plans and that’s not even including batting Mookie Betts second, not signing Craig Kimbrel and possibly extending Chris Sale. Rumors are flying all over the place about what the Red Sox are trying to do at the Winter Meetings. They include anything from trading key players to doing nothing at all. (Chad Jennings; The Athletic) ($$) In terms of actual baseball, the Sox may change things and bat Mookie Betts second next season. (Peter Abraham; Boston Globe) Are the Sox going to extend Chris Sale? (Evan Drellich; NBC Sports...

Never say never, but it’s seeming unlikely The last and biggest task remaining for the Red Sox this winter is to add some new talent to the end of their bullpen, nominally replacing Craig Kimbrel as closer. Dave Dombrowski has said many times that he is comfortable with guys like Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier as a closer, and he reiterated that on Monday. I don’t think that’s too crazy, particularly with Barnes, but adding more relief talent is necessary whether you call them a closer or not. Dombrowski talked to the media about this process, and specifically about Kimbrel himself....

In today’s links, we discuss players coming back and players leaving. Plus Manny Ramirez’s Hall of Fame case. Nathan Eovaldi is going to be a member of the Red Sox for the next four years. Remaining healthy is a key to making it a successful four years. (Chad Jennings; The Athletic) ($$) For Eovaldi, coming back was the best and easiest decision. (Peter Abraham; Boston Globe) It appears that Craig Kimbrel will not be joining Eovaldi on the championship defense. (Rob Bradford; WEEI) It could very well be the best move for the Red Sox. (Evan Drellich; NBC Sports Boston) Robby Scott will...

Will the team make any trades or sign any relievers this week? Steve Pearce. Check. Nate Eovaldi. Check. Perfect offseason is in progress, what will the team do next? Will the Red Sox retain Craig Kimbrel or Joe Kelly? Will the team target a different free agent reliever? We discuss all of these possibilities and more as we break down the Eovaldi signing and predict where the Red Sox could go from here. We also do our best to preview the Winter Meetings, which start today in Las Vegas. In this case what happens in Vegas will most certainly not stay in Vegas and will be confirmed multiple...

In today’s links, Lee Smith is going to the Hall of Fame, another domino in the Craig Kimbrel trade of 2015 and a word about passes balls Congratulations are in order for Lee Smith, who was elected to the Hall of Fame. The long-time reliever pitched for eight teams, including two and a half years with the Red Sox. (Mike Oz; Yahoo! Sports) Carlos Asuaje, who was part of the Craig Kimbrel trade, was DFA’d by the San Diego Padres. (Rob Bradford; WEEI) Are you looking forward to the Winter Meetings? (Nick Cafardo; Boston Globe) Does Mitch Moreland have something in common with Brian...